Virat Kohli won’t captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025, as the franchise has chosen Rajat Patidar for the role. However, RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, believes Kohli doesn’t need a captaincy title to lead the team.
“Virat was an option, and fans likely expected him to return as captain. But we’ve seen strong support for Rajat,” Bobat said at the captaincy announcement event. He emphasized that Kohli’s leadership instincts come naturally, and his influence on the team remains significant.
Kohli captained RCB from 2013 to 2021 and stepped in for three matches in IPL 2023 when Faf du Plessis was injured. Bobat expressed confidence that Patidar would benefit from Kohli’s experience, much like du Plessis did. “Virat leads through his actions—whether with the bat or on the field. His energy and commitment set the standard for everyone,” Bobat added.
Bobat also revealed that Kohli was actively involved in the discussions about Patidar’s appointment. “Virat was excited about this decision and fully supports Rajat,” he said.
Kohli was instrumental in RCB’s dramatic turnaround in IPL 2024. After a poor start with just one win in eight matches, the team won six consecutive games to reach the playoffs. Kohli led from the front, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches and winning the Purple Cap.
Patidar, acknowledging Kohli’s influence, said, “It’s a great opportunity to learn from one of the best. We’ve shared many good partnerships, and his insights will help me grow as a captain.”
With Kohli’s guidance and Patidar’s fresh leadership, RCB hopes to build on their IPL 2024 resurgence.
